Luxor Restaurant, Ethnic Egyptian Eats in Indianapolis

On the south side of vibrant downtown Indianapolis near the Indianapolis cultural district known as Fountain Square, sits Luxor Restaurant. This is an upscale Egyptian café serving traditional Mediterranean fare in one of the most popular ethnic restaurants in Indianapolis. On Friday and Saturday nights, they also serve up live entertainment. And it’s not just any entertainment. Authentic belly dancing and Spanish flamenco dancers take the stage every weekend to delight diners and add to the authenticity of the Luxor experience.

The restaurant is named after a city in Egypt, and the establishment serves traditional Egyptian food from that province. When dining at the Luxor, it’s best to arrive with a healthy appetite, because you’re going to want to try one of the enticing appetizers along with your entree. Some are customary favorites, such as hummus served with pita bread, and falafel, chick peas shaped into patties, fried and served alongside pita bread. You may never have heard of some of these interesting appetizers though, such as tabouleh, a salad made with fresh mint, cracked wheat, and tomatoes; and Tzaziki, a refreshing cucumber yogurt dip.

The main courses at Luxor are a great example of traditional Mediterranean-style cooking. Lamb chops are a popular selection, as are the Egyptian meat pies, which consist of ground beef baked inside phyllo dough and topped with bubbling tomato sauce and parmesan. There’s also the customary Greek dish, the Gyro, which can be ordered as a sandwich or as a meal alongside green beans and rice or potatoes.

A full beer and wine list is available, but the homemade sangria is a must-try if you’ve never been to Luxor Restaurant. It’s served by the glass or by the pitcher, so gather a group of friends and enjoy a pitcher or two, along with your authentic Mediterranean food and live entertainment.

Dining establishments like the Luxor are a major part of the fascinating diversity of Indianapolis society as a whole. Who would imagine a restaurant in midwestern Indiana could be so ethnic, so authentic and so popular?